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Introduction

Kashmir Development Foundation (KDF) is leading on a national campaign to celebrate ‘Kashmir History Week’ (20 – 27 October) in recognition of the Kashmiri diaspora community and their contributions to the local economy, cultural heritage and civic life in various towns and cities alongside the Black History Month celebrations in United Kingdom. KDF is asking local Town and City Councils to facilitate in holding a civic ceremony and hoist the “Azad Jammu and Kashmir flag” at the City/Town Halls on 24 October 2013 to mark and celebrate “Kashmir National Day” in the Kashmir Week.

For the first the time in history in 2012 two local authorities (Rochdale and Bradford officially hoisted the flag of Azad Jammu Kashmir at the Town Hall to celebrate “Kashmir National Day” on 24th October. Kashmir flag raising ceremonies were also held as part of the Kashmir week in Oldham, Rotherham and Bolton, and a range of community events were organised by British Kashmiri community in other towns and cities across United Kingdom.

This historic initiative to mark and celebrate “Kashmir National Day” on 24th October every year in the UK and across the world was started by the Kashmir Development Foundation (KDF) - a national charity in partnership with local community groups and their elected representatives working for the empowerment of the ‘Voice’ of the Kashmiri diaspora community.

The significance
of 24th October is that on this day Kashmiri people have achieved a key
milestone in their long struggle for peace, social justice and fundamental
freedoms.

As part of their political resistance movement
to establish a democratic system of governance they rebelled against the autocratic
rule of the Maharaja of the sovereign state of Jammu and Kashmir, and managed
to form the people government of the state of Azad (free) Jammu and Kashmir on
24th October 1947 within twenty days of its announcement on 04
October 1947.

Therefore,
by hoisting the flag of Kashmir at the town halls or civic centres the local
democratic institutions in UK will be celebrating their commitment with the
ideals of democratic governance at home and abroad, and the achievements of the
Kashmiri diaspora community and their contributions to the local economy,
heritage and civic life in Britain.

The local authorities in
UK have a duty to demonstrate their commitment to all communities to; eliminate
unlawful discrimination; advance equality as well as foster good community relations
under the Equality Act 2010. A number of local councils have a record of
supporting the Kashmiri community through the recognition of the Kashmiri national
and ethnic identity in their local ethnic monitoring systems. The hoisting of
the Kashmir flag will further evidence on these council’s commitment in
advancing race equality and championing of community cohesion amongst diversity
of cultures and communities.

Background

The people-led movement for a democratic system of governance, social justice and fundamental freedoms within the State of Jammu and Kashmir achieved its first milestone upon the announcement of formation of a provisional peoples’ government on 4th October 1947, which subsequently led to the establishment of the first Azad (free) Government of the State of Jammu and Kashmir on 24th October 1947.

The State of Jammu and Kashmir is currently a United Nations’ ‘recognised disputed territory’, and currently forcibly divided into three parts administer by India, Pakistan and China. The state of Jammu and Kashmir thus remains a country in transition towards re-unification and national independence.

The Kashmir National Day Celebrations – 24th October

The enduring desire to achieve freedom, social justice, peace and a democratic system of governance in Jammu and Kashmir is renewed annually through “Kashmir National Day” on 24th October by Kashmiris all across the globe.

To celebrate “Kashmir National Day” flag raising ceremonies being held at both the capital and district headquarters of the Azad (free) State of Jammy and Kashmir and other parts of the state; the President and the Prime Minister of the state also inspect a guard of honour. A range of other activities, including seminars and discussion forums, are held to discuss and advance the knowledge of the general public into the history and culture of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kashmiri Diaspora Community in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has a good as well as a very complex historical relationship with the people of Jammu and Kashmir since 16 March 1846.

The Kashmiri diaspora is one of the most economically active and politically engaged communities in their place of origin as well as their current place of abode – the United Kingdom. Over half a million people sharing common national identity and representing divers ethnic, religious and cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir are currently living and working in United Kingdom. They have very strong on-going family, cultural, political and commercial interests in their place of origin. The Kashmiri community is an equal and integral part of the civil society in each and every sphere of life across Britain. Indeed, in England, sixteen local authorities recognise Kashmiri’s national and ethnic identity in their local authorities’ ethnic monitoring systems.

Now is the time to recognise and celebrate the contributions of Kashmiri community in the civic, economic and cultural heritage of various towns and cities across U.K by hoisting Kashmir flag at Town/City halls and other place of public interest, homes and businesses.

How you can help

We are actively seeking partnership with local community, businesses and public sector organisations to celebrate ‘Kashmir National Day’ by hoisting Kashmir flag at Town/City halls and places of public interest in recognition of Kashmiri diaspora community and their contributions to the local economy, cultural heritage and civic life. This will help us to advance the education of the general public in the history and culture of Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, you can help in organising a range of activities/events during Kashmir Week (20-27 October) to increase awareness about the racial discrimination and inequalities Kashmiri community is experiencing in their everyday life because of their ethnic and national origin in Jammu and Kashmir.

Volunteer with KDF or local community organisations to help in organising “Kashmir National Day – 24 October” ceremony and other events in the Kashmir Week (20-27 October) to advance the education of the general public in the history and culture of Jammu and Kashmir.

Write to your Councillor, Mayor and Leader of the Council to officially hoist Kashmir flag at the town/City hall on 24 October every year.

Hoist or display Kashmir Flag in your house, business or car window on 24th October.

Keep yourself updated on activities and events being organised across UK as part of Kashmir Week by visiting www.kdfajk.org

Arts,
Culture & Heritage

Advancing the education of general public in the arts, culture and heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.Kashmir Development Foundation is currently developing a Kashmiri
Diaspora oral history project. We support visual and performing arts and
cultural shows.

Sports for Connecting Communities

To build relations, bridge divisions
and develop networks across communities & cultures for
reconciliation, conflict transformation, peace and development within
all the regions of former state of Jammu and Kashmirby developing strong and vibrant sports networks for hosting inter and intra-regional, and across ceasefire line/Line of control (LOC) sports events.

Enterprise & Social Mobility

We are leading on the development of “J&K
International Trade and Investment Network” to release the potential of
Kashmiri Diaspora to realise economic regeneration, trade and investment
in all the regions of Jammu and Kashmir.

Peace building and Development

We are
proactively engage in removing barriers in transforming conflict and campaigning
for a more productive Indo-Pak peace process over Kashmir, inclusive of
Kashmiri voices from all the regions of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kashmir National Day

The enduring
desire to achieve freedom, social justice, peace and a democratic system of
governance in Jammu and Kashmir is renewed annually through “Kashmir National
Day” on 24th October by Kashmiris all across the globe.

Social
Justice and Equality

Community Development

We are one of the first
local NGOs that set up relief camps in Muzaffarabad after the Kashmir
Earthquake on 08 October 2005. We facilitated national and international NGOs
in the delivery of a range of relief and rehabilitation projects in
Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Poonch.